Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “receptacle” come from?

Receptacle derives from Anglo-Norman receptacle, from Middle French receptacle, from Latin receptaculum, a container for receiving things, formed from the prefix re- and -culum, a diminutive suffix.

receptacle (English): A container; The part of the flower stalk to...

Definitions

  1. A container; The part of the flower stalk to...

Ancestry of “receptacle”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishreceptacle—
2Anglo-Normanreceptacle—
3Middle Frenchreceptacleorgan containing a fluid; gathering place; water...
4LatinreceptaculumA place to keep things in; reservoir, receptacle,...
5Latinreceptāre—
6Latinrecipiō—
7Latincapiō—
8Proto-Italickapiōtake
9Proto-Italickapjōtake, seize
10Proto-Indo-Europeankh₂pyéti—
11Proto-Indo-Europeankeh₂p-to seize, grab; to seize; take up; lift; to take,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European keh₂p- →